Times - seasons [χ ρ ο ν ω ν - κ α ι ρ ω ν]. See on Acts 1:7. With special reference to the Lord's coming. The plural is used because Paul is thinking of a number of incidents attending the preparation and accomplishment of the second advent, and occurring at different times. The collocation times a... [ Continue Reading ]
Perfectly [α κ ρ ι β ω ς]. See on Luke 1:3. The day of the Lord [η μ ε ρ α κ υ ρ ι ο υ]. The day of Christ's second coming. In Paul's Epistles this is expressed by hJ hJmera the day, absolutely, 1 Thessalonians 5:4; 1 Corinthians 3:13; Romans 13:12 : hJ hJmera ejkeinh that day, 2 Thessalonians 1:10... [ Continue Reading ]
When they shall say. The prediction is thrown into dramatic form. Cometh upon [ε π ι σ τ α τ α ι]. See Luke 21:34; Luke 21:36. Often in N. T. of a person coming suddenly upon another; as Luke 2:9; Luke 24:4; Acts 4:1; Acts 12:7. Travail [ω δ ι ν]. Birth - throe. Only here in its literal sense. Elsew... [ Continue Reading ]
Overtake [κ α τ α λ α β η]. See on comprehended, John 1:5. A thief [κ λ ε π τ η ς]. Tischendorf, Weiss, and Rev. T. retain this reading. Westcott and Hort read kleptav thieves, but with klepthv in margin. The weight of textual evidence is in favor of the singular.... [ Continue Reading ]
Ye are all. In the text gar for should be inserted after pantev all. Ye are not in darkness for ye are sons of light. Children of light [υ ι ο ι φ ω τ ο ς]. More correctly, sons of light. See on Mark 3:17, and comp. Luke 16:8; John 12:36; Ephesians 5:8; Colossians 1:12. The Christian condition is ha... [ Continue Reading ]
Others [ο ι λ ο ι π ο ι]. The rest, as ch. 4 13. Let us watch [γ ρ η γ ο ρ ω μ ε ν]. See on Mark 13:35, and comp. Ephesians 5:14. Be sober [ν η φ ω μ ε ν]. Primarily in a physical sense, as opposed to excess in drink, but passing into the ethical sense of calm, collected, circumspect. Alert wakefu... [ Continue Reading ]
Be drunken [μ ε θ υ σ κ ο μ ε ν ο ι]. Lit. who are made drunk or get drunk. See on John 2:10. In N. T. always of intoxication. In LXX, the Hebrews shekar strong drink is several times rendered by mequsma; Jude 1:13 :4, Jude 1:7; 1 Samuel 1:11; 1 Samuel 1:15.... [ Continue Reading ]
Putting on [ε ν δ υ σ α μ ε ν ο ι]. The son of day clothes himself for the day's work or battle. The same association of ideas as in vv. 6, 8, is found in Romans 13:12-14; Revelation 16:15; 1 Peter 1:13. Comp. LXX, Bar 5:2. Breastplate - helmet. Comp. Ephesians 6:14. The figures are not original wit... [ Continue Reading ]
For [ο τ ι]. Special emphasis is laid on the hope of salvation. The exhortation to put it on is enforced by the fact that God's appointment is to salvation and not to wrath. To obtain [ε ι ς π ε ρ ι π ο ι η σ ι ν]. More literally, unto the obtaining. See on Ephesians 1:14. In three out of five insta... [ Continue Reading ]
Who died. Frequently the resurrection is coupled with the death of Christ by Paul, as ch. 4 14; Philippians 3:10; Colossians 2:12; Colossians 3:1-4. Not so here; but the thought of resurrection is supplied in live together with him. Wake or sleep. Whether we are alive or dead at Christ's appearing.... [ Continue Reading ]
Comfort [π α ρ α κ α λ ε ι τ ε]. Rev. renders exhort; but comfort suits better the general drift of the passage, and corresponds with ch. 4 18. There is some force in Bornemann's suggestion that the two meanings may be combined. Exhort each other to be of good heart. Edify [ο ι κ ο δ ο μ ε ι τ ε]. L... [ Continue Reading ]
Know [ε ι δ ε ν α ι]. See on ch. 1 Thessalonians 4:4. Recognize them for what they are, and as entitled to respect because of their office. Comp. ejpiginwskete acknowledge, 1 Corinthians 16:18; and ejgnwsqhv takest knowledge, LXX, Psalms 143:3. Ignatius, Smyrn. 9, has ejpiskopon eiJudenai to know th... [ Continue Reading ]
Esteem [η γ ε ι σ θ α ι]. Primarily to lead, which is the only sense in the Gospels and Acts, except Acts 26:2, in a speech of Paul. To lead the mind through a reasoning process to a conclusion, and so to think, to estimate. Only in this sense by Paul, Peter, and James. See 2 Corinthians 9:5; Philip... [ Continue Reading ]
Them that are unruly [τ ο υ ς α τ α κ τ ο υ ς]. N. T. o The A. V. is more vigorous and less stilted than Rev. disorderly. From aj not and tassein draw up or arrange. Those who are out of line. Comp. the adverb ajgaqov disorderly, 2 Thessalonians 3:6; 2 Thessalonians 3:11. Probably referring to the i... [ Continue Reading ]
That which is good [τ ο α γ α θ ο ν]. Not to be limited to profitable, beneficent (as Lightfoot, Lunemann), although ajgaqov commonly includes a corresponding beneficent relation of its subject to another subject, which is emphasized here by to all men. See on Romans 5:7. It may also include what is... [ Continue Reading ]
Without ceasing [α δ ι α λ ε ι π τ ω ς]. Comp. Romans 9; Romans 12:12; Ephesians 6:18; Colossians 4:2.... [ Continue Reading ]
Will [θ ε λ η μ α]. In the sense of requirement. Comp. ch. 1 Thessalonians 4:3.... [ Continue Reading ]
Quench not the Spirit. Since he is the inspirer of prayer, and the bestower of all gifts of grace on the Church. Comp. Ephesians 4:30. The operation of the Spirit is set forth under the image of fire in Matthew 3:11; Luke 12:49; Acts 2:3; Acts 2:4. The reference here is to the work of the Spirit gen... [ Continue Reading ]
Prophesyings [π ρ ο φ η τ ε ι α ς]. The emphasis on prophesyings corresponds with that in 1 Corinthians 14:1-5; 1 Corinthians 14:22 ff. Prophecy in the apostolic church was directly inspired instruction, exhortation, or warning. The prophet received the truth into his own spirit which was withdrawn... [ Continue Reading ]
Prove all things [π α ν τ α δ ο κ ι μ α ζ ε τ ε]. A general exhortation, not confined to prophesyings; but Paul elsewhere insists that a test be applied to phenomena which claim to be supernatural. See on discerning of spirits, 1 Corinthians 12:10; 1 Corinthians 14:29, and comp. 2 Thessalonians 2:2,... [ Continue Reading ]
Appearance [ε ι δ ο υ ς]. As commonly explained, abstain from everything that even looks like evil. But the word signifies form or kind. Comp. Luke 3:22; John 5:37, and see nearly the same phrase in Joseph. Ant 10:3, 1. It never has the sense of semblance. Moreover, it is impossible to abstain from... [ Continue Reading ]
The very God of peace [α υ τ ο ς ο θ ε ο ς τ η ς ε ι ρ η ν η ς]. Better, the God of peace himself. God's work is contrasted with human efforts to carry out the preceding injunctions. The phrase God of peace only in Paul and Hebrews. See Romans 14:33; Romans 16:20; Philippians 4:9; Hebrews 13:20. The... [ Continue Reading ]
Faithful [π ι σ τ ο ς]. Comp. 2 Timothy 2:13, and see on 1 John 1:9; Revelation 1:5; Revelation 3:14. That calleth [ο κ α λ ω ν]. = the caller. The emphasis is on the person rather than on the act. Comp. Romans 9:11; Galatians 1:6; Galatians 1:15; Galatians 5:8;... [ Continue Reading ]
Kiss. See on 2 Corinthians 13:12. Comp. Romans 16:16; 1 Corinthians 16:20; 1 Peter 5:14.... [ Continue Reading ]
I charge [ε ν ο ρ κ ι ζ ω]. N. T. o. Rev. stronger and more literal, I adjure. Class. This strong appeal may perhaps be explained by a suspicion on Paul's part that a wrong use might be made of his name and authority (see 2 Thessalonians 2:2), so that it was important that his views should be made k... [ Continue Reading ]